Long Island Rail Road customers can help stamp out hunger on Long Island by donating non-perishable food to the annual food drive of Island Harvest Food Bank, the area's largest hunger relief organization, tomorrow, Thursday May 9 at three LIRR stations - Ronkonkoma, Hicksville and Mineola – from 6 AM until 10 AM.

The LIRR is teaming up with other corporate sponsors to help Island Harvest deliver to more than 300,000 needy Long Islanders including 100,000 children who face hunger every day. The local effort is part of the 21st annual Stamp-Out Hunger Campaign, the nation's largest single-day food drive.

“Many South Shore Long Island communities were hit hard by Sandy and still need help with the basics – shelter and food,” said LIRR President Helena E. Williams. “Six months after the storm, Island Harvest has asked us to assist them in restocking their shelves so they can continue distributing food to those in need. I am urging LIRR commuters and employees to take a few moments today, gather up some canned goods and drop them off Thursday morning at Mineola, Hicksville or Ronkonkoma stations where volunteers will be standing by.”

Easily identifiable by the large “Island Harvest” banners, Island Harvest volunteers will be out bright and early Thursday morning at Ronkonkoma, Hicksville and Mineola stations ready to accept non-perishable food items such as canned soup, canned vegetables, pasta, rice and cereal. No glass jars or expired products please.